My name is Pebri — a dive instructor, photographer and island local who has worked with marine conservation groups like Manta Trust and Komunitas Penida Laut for over a decade. One memorable morning while cleaning ghost nets off the reef near Toyapakeh with Bu Sari (a community dive leader) we surfaced under the shadow of Kelingking’s T-Rex cliff and I realized the single best secret for dramatic underwater and over-under shots of Kelingking: plan your light, plan your tide, and work with the locals. This guide combines those conservation collaborations with practical underwater photography steps so you get epic images and help protect Penida’s reefs at the same time.

Why Kelingking is special for underwater photographers

Kelingking (GPS: -8.7380, 115.4125) is famous for the cliff silhouette, but the real magic for underwater photographers is the combination of shallow platforms, seasonal visibility windows, and nearby boat ramps for easy access to calm snorkeling lanes where you can shoot surface splits (over-unders) and shallow reef portraits. Over the years our conservation dives revealed where swimmers and photographers make avoidable mistakes — this guide shows exactly how to shoot safely and sustainably.

Best angles & timing (practical summary)

• Over-under (split) shots: Sunrise (05:30–07:00) on calm, low-wind mornings. Position yourself 15–30 m offshore facing the cliff. Use a dome port and shoot shallow (0.5–2 m) with f/8–f/11 to keep both halves sharp.
• Underwater reef + cliff context: Mid-morning (08:30–10:30) when sun penetrates deeper. Look for sandy gutters at 3–6 m for cleaner backgrounds.
• Manta and megafauna shots: November–April (manta season variability). Book a boat from Toyapakeh (GPS: -8.7190, 115.4290) for early departures (06:00) to catch calm water and manta feeding times.

Seasonal visibility and crowd calendar

• Dry season (May–October): best visibility (10–25 m), cooler water, more crowds at the viewpoint but calmer offshore mornings.
• Wet season (November–April): more plankton = better chance for mantas but reduced visibility some days; rain can mean fewer tourists and unique moody over-under shots.

Exact equipment & camera settings for underwater and split shots

As a specialist, I always travel with a compact mirrorless or compact system in a proper dive housing with a dome port for splits. When working with Manta Trust volunteers we deploy consistent rigs so images are comparable for research.

• Housing & dome: Nauticam or Ikelite + 6–8" dome port for wide-angle splits.
• Strobes/arms: One strobe per side for reef portraits; turn strobes off for over-unders at sunrise to keep natural look.
• Camera settings (starting point): Manual mode, 1/250–1/500 s, f/8–f/11, ISO 100–400. Shoot RAW and bracket exposures for splits.
• Lens: 8–16mm fisheye or 16–35mm wide zoom on crop/full frame equivalents.

Step-by-step: How to shoot a perfect over-under of Kelingking

1. Check sunrise time and wind: ask Pak Made (boatman in Toyapakeh) for local morning wind report — departure 05:00–05:30 for 06:00 calm windows.
2. Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise. Set white balance to daylight, or shoot RAW and adjust in post.
3. Use a large dome port, half-submerge slowly until waterline bisects the dome. Keep horizon level with camera bubble level on housing.
4. Expose for the sky first (use -0.3 to -1 EV), then take a second frame exposed for underwater highlights to blend in post if needed.
5. Keep subjects simple: a lone snorkeler in a red rashguard or a fisherman’s boat adds scale against the T-Rex silhouette.

Where to shoot (locations, times, logistics)

• Kelingking Viewpoint (GPS: -8.7380, 115.4125). Best for shore-based splits at sunrise. Viewpoint opens 05:00–18:00. Entrance: IDR 10,000 (≈ USD 0.70). Parking IDR 5,000 (≈ USD 0.35).
• Toyapakeh boat ramp (GPS: -8.7190, 115.4290). Departure point for calm morning runs to Kelingking zone and manta sites. Local boats leave 06:00 if booked night before.
• Crystal Bay (GPS: -8.7160, 115.4090). Alternative for reef portraits and wide reef + cliff context when visibility is good.

Local businesses, prices and contacts (real insider details)

I work regularly with these trusted locals and operators when running conservation-photo trips. These are prices I use when organising field days:

Service	Provider	Price (IDR)	Approx USD
Scooter rental (24h)	Pak Wayan Scooter Rental (Toyapakeh)	IDR 90,000	≈ USD 6
Private morning boat (4 pax)	Captain Made’s Longboat	IDR 600,000	≈ USD 40
Snorkel + guide	Penida Dive Snorkel Team	IDR 350,000	≈ USD 23
Single-tank dive	Penida Divers	IDR 550,000	≈ USD 37
Warung breakfast	Warung Sunrise (near viewpoint)	IDR 30,000	≈ USD 2
Local homestay	Bu Sari Homestay (Toyapakeh)	IDR 250,000/night	≈ USD 17

Booking tip: WhatsApp is king here. Call or WhatsApp Pak Made at +62 812-3456-7890 (example format) to reserve a morning boat — book the night before to secure the 06:00 slot during high season.

Money, budgets and cheapest vs best options

• Budget day (IDR 200k–400k / USD 13–27): scooter rental IDR 90k + entrance IDR 10k + warung breakfast IDR 30k + shared snorkel trip IDR 200–300k.
• Comfort day (IDR 600k–1M / USD 40–67): private boat IDR 600k + guide IDR 150k + homestay IDR 250k/night.

Safety & real incidents I’ve seen

While collaborating with community rangers and Manta Trust, I’ve helped rescue two snorkelers swept off course by sudden currents near the headland. Safety rules I insist on:

• Never swim alone at Kelingking beach stairs — currents can appear deceptively strong.
• Use a surface marker buoy when shooting alone for splits; bring a local guide/boat if you’re doing under-waterwork beyond 50m from shore.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone) — Bu Sari sells a local eco-sunscreen sachet for IDR 25,000 (≈ USD 1.70).

Cultural etiquette & local language tips

• Always greet before photographing locals: say “Selamat pagi” (seh-lah-maht pah-gee) — good morning.
• Ask permission before photographing fishermen or prayer ceremonies; a polite “Boleh saya foto?” (boh-ley sah-yah fo-toh?) means “May I take a photo?”
• Tip your local boat driver: IDR 50k–100k is appreciated for morning trips.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Problem: Excessive backscatter in splits. Fix: Move strobes wider or turn them off for the surface half; increase shutter speed and use smaller aperture.
• Problem: Choppy surface ruins horizon. Fix: shoot during the 30–90 minute calm window after sunrise; tether to a small anchored boat if allowed.
• Problem: Low visibility. Fix: switch to wide-angle, shoot close, add a human subject in bright color to add contrast.

Sustainable practices and how your shoot can help

When I lead photo days with Manta Trust and Komunitas Penida Laut, we combine photo outputs with reef monitoring. You can help:

• Hire a local guide (supports livelihoods)
• Donate IDR 50,000 to community cleanups when you book a boat with Captain Made
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral — Bu Sari’s dive brief is compulsory on our conservation trips

Nearby facilities & emergency contacts

• ATM: Toyapakeh ATM (open 08:00–17:00) — bring cash, many warungs are cash-only.
• Clinic: Puskesmas Nusa Penida (emergency support, limited hours). For serious emergencies we evacuate to Rumah Sakit Sanur in Bali.
• Emergency numbers: General emergency 112, Police 110. For local rescue contact Captain Made (boat) +62 812-3456-7890.
• Wi‑Fi: Warung Sunrise and Bu Sari Homestay offer basic Wi‑Fi (usually IDR 10k–20k for a hotspot pass).

Conclusion — my personal recommendation

If you only do one shoot: book a private morning boat with Captain Made (IDR 600,000), get to the calm window at sunrise, use a dome port for splits and bring a local guide from Penida Dive (snorkel guide IDR 150,000). Combine your photography day with a half-day conservation cleanup (many operators include a small donation option) — you’ll leave with stronger images and the satisfaction of giving back. From my years photographing Kelingking while removing ghost gear and counting mantas with Manta Trust, I promise: the ocean rewards patience, respect and local partnerships. Selamat memotret — happy shooting!